British Academy Film Awards — 2 wins, 1 nominationAcademy Awards — 1 nominationKids' Choice Award — 1 nominationSaturn Award — 1 nominationAll 2 wins · 4 nominations on record
British Academy Film Awards: Best Special Visual Effects
Scholarship
Named in the title of 1 peer-reviewed work
Examples
Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Back to the Future Part II arrived from Universal Pictures in 1989, a direct sequel produced on the heels of the original's massive success. Robert Zemeckis returned to direct, pushing the trilogy into darker, more ambitious territory with time travel paradoxes, an alternate 1985, and a now-iconic vision of 2015. It expanded the franchise's mythology while keeping Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd at the center, and it remains a touchstone of late-eighties studio filmmaking, prized for its inventive structure and enduring pop culture footprint.
This cell pairs Marty McFly with his antagonist Griff, the descendant of Biff Tannen who carries the family's animosity into the future setting. Collectors seek out material tying these two together since their conflict anchors much of the sequel's tension and comic energy. A 35mm cell capturing this pairing offers a physical piece of that dynamic, a tangible frame from the print reel that once ran through theaters, preserving a moment of rivalry central to the film's second act.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Back to the Future Part II (1989).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no visible torn or deformed holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single-track analog stripe.
Edge print
Text reading 'SAFETY' is visible along the edge (mirrored in the capture); additional numeric or key-number codes appear present but are not fully legible at this size.
Base & colour
Base shows a slight blue-cool tint consistent with polyester or acetate safety stock; dye image appears neutral with no obvious red shift or fading.
Projection history
Light horizontal scratching is visible across the frame area, consistent with a print that has passed through a projector gate.
Picture
Positive color image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with a release print of Back to the Future Part II (1989).
Era check
The single variable-area optical soundtrack, safety base stock, and color dye image are all consistent with a theatrical release print from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000064249
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
